Hiking in Aspen for Matchless Views
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Hiking in Aspen always includes a trek to see Colorado’s postcard worthy Maroon Bells
Aspen Hikes Dish Out Fantastic Views in 2024
While largely known for winter skiing with the rich and famous, Aspen also doles out big-time summer fun for all sizes of wallets in the beloved Colorado Rockies.
In 2024, take your summer road trip to Aspen via the breathtaking, scenic Independence Pass. You’ll end up heading out on some of the best Colorado hikes, biking trails, paddling adventures, campsites, and more.
Here, we cover some of the best hiking in Aspen and the Snowmass, including the world renowned Maroon Bells. This area offers beautiful Colorado vacation rentals with all the views — so we suggest staying for a week and diving into the gorgeous Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness.
Many of these Aspen trails are kid-friendly, while others are more challenging and difficult and should be saved for fit and active older kids, teenagers and adults.
We also mention a few other cool things to do in Aspen, like eateries, gondolas, campgrounds, and a cool day trip.
PRO TIP: Don’t own a good daypack? We especially love the 24 L Osprey Sirrus day pack (NOTE: Stratos is the men’s version). I’ve owned my overnight backpack for ten years now and it’s still going strong.
Osprey makes some of the world’s best daypacks and overnight backpacks, in our combined 50+ years of experience hiking and backpacking. And they have great customer service.
We can also show you what to wear hiking in Colorado, no matter the season.
Learn how to pack your daypack too.
Hiking in Aspen along the Difficult Trail
Difficult Trail
Trail Length: 9.8 miles Elevation Gain: 1,916 feet Route Type: Out and back Difficulty: Moderate
Before you bail on this hike due to its length, keep in mind that with any Colorado trails you begin, you are never required to cover the entire length. No one here is keeping track of your steps.
You may decide to keep this Aspen hike on the easier side and just hike two to three miles up this trail before turning around.
This trail crosses back and forth over Difficult Creek with cool bridges and crossings that are great for a picnic lunch and some splashing around.
Enjoy the wildflowers, the water, and the rocky climb through the pines. If you do end up going all the way, know that some claim the view is anti-climactic, and many favor the first three miles of the hike.
Plan on 1-5 hours for this hike, or one hour for every two miles you choose to hike.
From Aspen, drive 5 miles southeast on Hwy 82 and turn right at the sign for Difficult Campground. Drive just a half mile further and park in the picnic area on the right. You will see the trailhead in the left corner of the parking lot.
For easy hiking in Aspen Colorado, try the Rio Grande Trail
Rio Grande Trail
Trail Length: 42 miles Elevation Gain: 500 feet Route Type: Out and back Difficulty: Easy
Easy-going and perfect for hiking, running, or biking as far as you like, The Rio Grande Trail is one of the most popular Aspen trails.
The Rio Grande Trail follows the Roaring Fork River and starts out paved and turns to dirt after the first two miles. Enjoy the natural scenery with beautiful, fancy houses along the beginning. Stop and enjoy a picnic or a snack at many scenic spots further down the way.
There are several places to rent bikes in Aspen. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy this meandering trail along the Roaring Fork River that runs from Aspen to Glenwood Springs for 42 miles one way. You can even get a Rio Grande bike shuttle should you decide to only ride part of it downhill.
Hop on the Rio Grande Trail on the east end from Herron Park on Neale Avenue in Aspen. There is a great wading spot to enjoy with smaller kids especially.
Chasing Waterfalls? We rounded up our favorite 27 Waterfall Hikes in Colorado.
Elk Mountain Expeditions sits on Smuggler Mountain Road
Smuggler Mountain Road
Trail Length: 2.7 miles Elevation Gain: 780 feet Route Type: Out and back Difficulty: Moderate
Particularly popular in fall, this trail, or rather dirt road, heads through evergreens and aspens up to a spectacular overlook of town.
While it is a busier trail, people love Smuggler Mountain Road for how close it is to town. Plan on 1 - 1/2 hours for this hike.
Find this trailhead on the northeast side of town. Smuggler Mountain can be accessed from two streets: Mill Street or Cooper Avenue. From each you will reach Park Circle, then take a right on the Smuggler Mountain Road. Then take your first right onto the dirt road and hopefully find parking just up on the right. If you can’t find parking there, then park in the overflow lot on Park Circle, across from the turn of the Smuggler Mountain Road.
Another moderate Aspen hiking trail we’re itching to try in 2024 is Hunter Creek Trail. Great in all season, hikers report the steepest part is at the beginning of the hike, but then the trek gets easier after 1.75 miles. Bask in beautiful scenery and wildflowers along the Hunter Creek Trail in the height of summer! Spikes and poles are always helpful in winter.
Ute Trail
Trail Length: 6.2 miles Elevation Gain: 3,064 feet Route Type: Out and back Difficulty: Hard
The Ute Trail is for those looking for a real butt burner while hiking in Aspen.
This here’s a challenging climb as you go up, up, up to over 11,000 feet in elevation in just 3 miles.
Snap photos at Ute Rock, then continue your climb up to the Sundeck at the top of the ski lifts.
The scenery at the top proves the difficult climb worth it!
Bonus: You can ride the free gondola down to save your knees.
Take 2 Liters of water per hiker and plenty of snacks. Hiking poles are highly encouraged for coming back down — unless you hitch a ride on the free gondola. Take it slow, and you’ll make it. Plan on 4 - 6 hours for this hike.
To reach the trailhead from downtown Aspen, travel down Ute Ave for 0.4 miles. There is a parking area on the left and the trail begins on the right across the street.
This Aspen hike over the East Maroon Pass takes you to Copper Lake
Crested Butte to Aspen Hike
via West and East Maroon Passes
When you’ve wrapped up hiking in Aspen, don’t miss Crested Butte’s wildflower trails.
One of the best Colorado hikes, we knocked this off our bucket list in late August, this fabulous hike in the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness is definitely a crown jewel!
You can drive three plus hours from Aspen to reach Crested Butte.
Even better, hike from Crested Butte to Aspen starting on the West Maroon Pass and then back again the next day from Aspen to Crested Butte starting on the East Maroon Pass.
We began our two day trek on the West Maroon Pass from Crested Butte to Aspen. Then the next day we started out on the East Maroon Pass from Aspen to Crested Butte. Other trails are involved too.
This two day hike takes some planning ahead that’s well worth the effort. Learn from us, because we’ve done it, and plan accordingly. This would make a great girls or guys trip, or a romantic couple’s weekend.
Heard about the famous Four Pass Loop in the Maroon Bells? Melody shares how to pack for backpacking when tackling this arduous route - it’s totally worth it!
Hiking the West Maroon Pass from Crested Butte to Aspen
American Lake Trail
Trail Length: 6.8 miles Elevation Gain: 2,043 feet Route Type: Out and back Difficulty: Hard
Beginning and ending at Castle Creek Road, this challenging Aspen hiking trail is not for the faint of heart.
The hike out to American Lake involves a lot of climbing in elevation.
Enjoy a stunning wooded trail along the way and don’t hesitate to take a break for a snack and a short rest.
Allow yourself 3-4 hours to complete this hike and always plan for a change in weather.
Here’s our go-to gear for Colorado Hiking Trails in 2024:
We love the Osprey Sirrus Hiking Daypack for women, or the Stratos version for men, for carrying water, layers, and snacks on Colorado day hikes
Lightweight, versatile Hiking Poles built for a full day’s send on the trail — hike longer and stronger
2L or 3L Water Reservoir — This affordable reservoir is easy to fill
Patagonia Torrentshell - a true waterproof rain jacket and fantastic layering piece
Nano Puff Jacket - our favorite for 3 seasons in Colorado
Maroon Peak Summit. From L to R. Snowmass. Capital Peak. North Maroon. Pyramid Peak. Castle Peak. photo cred: co14k.com
Fourteener hikes near Aspen
We can’t talk about hiking in Aspen without mentioning the area’s fourteeners for avid hikers looking for a challenge.
For a fourteener hike near Aspen, consider this difficult class 2 hike to Castle Peak.
Or consider hiking to Conundrum Peak, via its easiest route. Or, just hike to Conundrum Hot Springs and camp overnight after your geothermal soak. This is on Tanya’s calendar for summer of 2024!
The drive to the trailhead for both is lovely, and takes you right pass the Pine Creek Cookhouse.
The drive to the Castle Creek trailhead also leads you to some great dispersed campsites, per fourteeners.com:
Take Castle Creek from the roundabout just west of the center of Aspen. Drive 12.5 miles (paved) to the Castle Creek trailhead. To the right, Forest Road (FR) 102 continues all all the way to 12,800'. Good-clearance passenger cars can drive about 1 mile up this road to reach the dispersed camp sites along the road. If you want to shorten your hike by parking higher, you must have a 4WD vehicle with good clearance. From the lower trailhead parking area, proceed to a river crossing, at 1.3 miles.
In spring and early summer, this crossing is a challenge for some 4WD vehicles. At 3 miles, reach the Pearl Pass junction and stay right on the Castle Creek 102 road. If you drove up this far, there are a few parking spots near the junction. The road gets worse as it ascends into Montezuma Basin all the way to 12,800'.
We dish about hiking fourteeners in Colorado, including Maroon Peak.
Go paddleboarding on the North Star Nature Preserve after your Aspen hike
Hop over here after the hike
Aspen Brewing Company Award-winning beer that can be found throughout Colorado and enjoyed at their local tap room in the heart of downtown Aspen. 121 South Galena Street - Read about more Aspen Craft Beers
Paradise Bakery & Cafe This little bakery and gelato serves up light eats, sweets and treats year-round in Aspen. 320 S Galena Street
Pine Creek Cookhouse American fine dining, locally sourced and plated in a cozy log cabin with perfect mountain views. This is worth the scenic 30 minute drive following 14 miles of Castle Creek to this fine dining establishment. Don’t want to shell out the big bucks for dinner? Go here in the middle of the day for a drink and appetizers. 11399 Castle Creek Rd, Aspen
North Star Nature Preserve Floating or paddling the more serene part of the Roaring Fork River through the North Star Nature Preserve is a sweet way to experience nature in Aspen. The preserve asks that you respect others by being quiet, staying on your watercraft (no swimming!) and leaving your dog at home. SUPs, canoes and kayaks are ideal here. Don’t own one? Rent one in Aspen or bring your own inflatable.
The best travel SUPs are Isle paddle boards. We take our XL Megalodon everywhere in Colorado.
RELATED READING: Paddleboarding in Colorado: The Best Lakes in the Rocky Mountains
The view from Pine Creek Cookhouse. Lots of Aspen hiking trails start just past here!
Hiking the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness
Really, when we talk about the best hikes in Aspen, the fabulous hikes in the famous Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness area really steal the show.
Hiking to Maroon Bells are totally worth the hype, and they also merit some planning ahead so that your time on the trail is most enjoyable.
We cover these Maroon Bells hikes and the specific details on how to reach the trailheads in high season in a separate blog post:
Maroon Lake Trail
Crater Lake Trail
Buckskin Pass
Folks especially flock to this area for fall colors.
NEW FOR 2024: Flying into Colorado to head to Aspen? Roaring Fork Express now offers private shuttles from Aspen airport and Denver International Airport to the Maroon Bells area during the summer months.
Discover Peak Leaf Peeping in Aspen Colorado and all over our Rocky Mountain state.
Maroon Bells from Maroon Lake in Fall
Take a Gondola Up for Some of Colorado’s Best Alpine Hiking Trails in Aspen
Riding the gondola up to Aspen Mountain
HIKING ON ASPEN MOUNTAIN
Catch a gondola ride up to the top of Aspen Mountain and you’ll enter the gateway to some of Colorado's best hike. Pick a trail from a variety of short-and-easy walks to more arduous treks.
Stop by the gondola ticket office at the bottom of Aspen Mountain for a summer brochure with trail information and map.
HIKING ON SNOWMASS
Hop on the Elk Camp Gondola or the Elk Camp chairlift (Friday through Sunday) for stunning views and an amazing network of trails suitable for all levels of hikers. Pick up a free map from the gondola ticket office in Snowmass Base Village and plan your summer hike accordingly.
More Hiking Trails Near Aspen
Day Trip to Hike to Hanging Lake
Plan a day trip hike to Hanging Lake in Colorado, just outside of beautiful Glenwood Springs. This is an awesome hiking adventure with kids and teens just outside Glenwood Canyon, and only about an hour from Aspen.
Hanging Lake hiking permits are required at busy times of the year. Plan your trip to Hanging Lake— one of the prettiest spots in Colorado.
Pro Tip: There are also hot springs in Glenwood Springs that you can enjoy after your hike to Hanging Lake.
Hiking trails along Independence Pass
We must quickly mention two great hiking trails whose trailheads begin along Independence Pass just before descending into Aspen. Remember, the pass is only open in Colorado’s warmer months.
The Grottos Trail A grotto is a another word to describe a cave or cavern. This short, level loop trail quickly leads you to a waterfall and an ice cave. This is super fun with kids. The trailhead to the Grottos is easy to find and the trail is easy to follow, no matter the season, as it is heavily used.
Lost Man Trail A moderate to difficult hike that ranges from 4.6-8.8 miles in length, gains nearly 1,400 feet in elevation and can be treated as a point-to-point trail or an out and back. Lost Man Trail is 14 miles east of Aspen as you are coming down Independence Pass along Hwy 82. The trailhead is straight across from the Lost Man Campground, on the north side of the highway. There are many ways to complete all or a section of this hike.
Where to stay in Aspen
You can find many gorgeous homes and condos to rest easy in all around Aspen and Snowmass Village. You can even opt to stay just outside of Aspen, deeper in the Rockies.
For example, stay in this Colorado retreat of a lifetime in Marble, Colorado. Sitting on 1.2 wooded acres with not one, but two decks! Wake up each morning to breathtaking views right outside your door. Your group will enjoy wonderful access to outdoor recreation like hiking, fishing, wildlife watching, backcountry skiing, hot springs and more.
RELATED READING: Unwind and Rekindle on these Romantic Getaways for Couples in Colorado
Beautiful campsites in Difficult Campground, just five minutes from Aspen.
Camping in Aspen
Looking to camp on the outskirts of Aspen? Reserve a spot or take your chances for a last-minute spot camping at Difficult Campground. Difficult Campground can be difficult to get into as it is one of the most popular campgrounds near Aspen on the north end of Independence Pass.
You’ll find Difficult Campground just 5 miles southeast of Aspen, Colorado. I mentioned it above as it right next to the trailhead for Difficult Trail. Difficult Campground sits on the banks of the Roaring Fork River on the western slope of the Colorado Rockies. Campsites are sweetly settled in a mixed forest of aspen, cottonwood, pine, fir, scrub oak, and spruce, and several sit at the river or creek’s edge. The rushing or trickling water will lull you to sleep.
Difficult Campground is perfect for those seeking recreation and relaxation. Plan ahead and reserve a spot or early, or take your chances snagging a last-minute first-come, first-serve campsite.
Pro Tip: Aspen has a fine City Market grocery store and an Alpine Ace Hardware for anything you may need to pick up last minute.
Grab Your Guide to Camping in Colorado
We love these 12 Scenic Campgrounds in Colorado.
Your Guide to Camping in Colorado
Our downloadable eBook (PDF) covers:
Types of Camping
Types of Campgrounds
Bear Awareness & Safety
How to Book a Campground Online
Tips for Getting Last Minute Campsites in Colorado
Our Favorite Campgrounds in Colorado
Practicing Leave No Trace Principles While Camping
How to Set Up Your Entire Campsite
How to Set Up Your Camp Kitchen
Additional Gear Needed for Dispersed Camping
11 Camping Recipes Everyone Loves
Camp Coffee Tips
Cooking Over a Campfire
How to Build and Put Out Your Campfire
Camping Bin Checklists
Personal Camping Pack List
Things to Consider in Case of Emergency
DIY Med Kit and more!
RELATED READING: Beginners Hiking Tips — Great reminders for Colorado natives and novices alike.
Let’s Talk.
Pick our brains about hiking trails in Colorado. Book a one hour call with us and get knowledgable advice and tips. We write curated itineraries too.
